Mr. Brian Purcell:

I can perfectly understand how a new Minister in the Department in the circumstances in which she has come in would not rush on her first day in office, if asked whether she could express full confidence in the Secretary General, to say "Yes." If she did, the Deputy would be the first to jump down her throat and ask, "On what basis are you saying that?" While I accept that it is not a comfortable position for me to be in, I can understand perfectly why the Minister would take that approach. If the roles were reversed and she was Secretary General, I would obviously want to see for myself whether I should have confidence. I am happy enough to answer that question. I am trying to be as of much assistance-----